Gang members charged in plot to kill Milwaukee police officers

Police thwarted a plot to kill three Milwaukee police officers this fall, according to newly unsealed search warrants.

The warrants netted cellphones from several gang members implicated in the plot.

Five people have been charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree intentional homicide in the case.

Court documents indicate the plot stemmed from a shooting in August. Officers executed a warrant at Maricela Gullicksen and Eliezer Cruz’s home near Sixth Street and Lapham Boulevard. Records indicate Gullicksen became angry and thought a female officer was texting his cousin “Puppet” -- a rival gang member.

“Well, this is a major investigation on our part,” said Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn. “Our officers on the south side engaged in a long-running investigation to try and break up some of the more serious criminal gangs down there.”

Court documents show the five wanted to “set up on puppet’s and wait for him and the female officer at a residence.” The gang also planned to follow a second officer at District 2 who had been tracking their activities over the years, the documents indicate.

The criminal complaint indicates gang members were planning on catching the officer off duty at his home. According to the complaint, the group bought prepaid phones to use in coordinating the attack and planned to throw them away afterward.

The search warrant indicated the leader of the gang is the one who tipped off authorities to the plot. A police informant also alerted them to the plan.

The five arrested are expected in court next week.

Copyright 2013 byWISN.comAll rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Comments

The views expressed are not those of this site, this station or its affiliated companies. By posting your comments you agree to accept our terms of use.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) said Sunday it was "very alarmed" by reports of widespread doping by track and field athletes in major competitions including the Olympic Games and world championships.